Earth Day 2026: What's happening and where in the Bay Area
Every year Earth Day is held on April 22. The annual holiday to celebrate the outdoors, wildlife and protecting the environment is now in its 56th anniversary with thousands of events across the United States and the world.
Former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin — a 1939 graduate of San Jose State University — founded Earth Day on April 22, 1970 after concerns over a huge oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969 and other high-profile pollution problems. His co-chairman the first year was Pete McCloskey, a former congressman who represented the Peninsula and South Bay in the late 1960s. The event helped lead to the passage of landmark national environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act.
This year, April 22 is on a Wednesday. So most Bay Area events are either this weekend or next weekend. Here’s a list of some of the main ones, by date.
Saturday April 18
Climate Week
The annual event features includes panel discussions, workshops, tours and other events at a wide variety of venues from the California Academy of Sciences to Stanford University and Yerba Buena Gardens. Some are free. Some have charges and require reservations.
Contra Costa County
Volunteer trash clean ups and tree plantings at parks are planned for Antioch, Concord and Richmond from 9 am to noon.
https://511.ccta.ca.gov/earth-day-2026/
Oakland
Volunteer parks cleanups, trail renovation and tree planting is planned for 75 sites across the city
https://www.oaklandca.gov/EarthDay
Fremont
Annual Earth Day Fair
Music, games, and creative art activities, along with a bike rodeo for kids and educational exhibits about recycling, composting, clean water, healthy food systems, and energy efficiency.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Downtown Event Center & Plaza
3500 Capitol Ave., Fremont
https://www.fremont.gov/government/departments/environmental-services/events/earth-day
Santa Cruz
Earth Day 2026 at Abbott Square
Enjoy live music from SambaDá, free face painting and photo booth, flower crown making, hands-on Earth Day activities, and eco-friendly vendors. Kids can join the Passport Program, collecting stamps at 8 booths and trading a completed passport for a free scoop of ice cream or a cookie.
11:30 am – 4:00 pm
118 Cooper St.
Santa Cruz
Mountain View
Earth Day and Arbor Day Festival
Music, outdoor rock wall, exhibits, bicycle repair and more
11 a.m. Mayoral proclamation and ceremonial tree planting
Noon – 3 p.m. Festival
City Hall Plaza
Milpitas
Earth Day Milpitas
10 am – Noon
Murphy Park, 1567 Yellowstone Avenue, Milpitas
More than 25 organizations will be tabling, including the Scouts of America, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Rivian, and the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.
https://www.milpitas.gov/774/Earth-Day-2026
Martinez
John Muir Birthday Earth Day Celebration
Exhibits, activities for all ages and live music. Explore John Muir’s 1882 Victorian home and orchards, participate in youth activities with National Park Service rangers, celebrate the Sierra Club founder’s birthday with birthday cake during this community celebration.
10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
John Muir National Historic Site
4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez.
www.johnmuirassociation.org
San Francisco
Earth Day Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens
Live music, food vendors, community booths, and activities like free carousel rides, ice art, tree planting and more.
11 am-3 pm
Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard St., S.F.
https://ybgfestival.org/event/guest-presentation-earth-day-2026/
Sunday April 19
San Jose
Santana Row Earth Day Celebration
Enjoy lawn games, crafts and other family-friendly activities, including free face painting and nature-themed music. Sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.
11 am – 3 pm
Santana Row
377 Santana Row, San Jose
https://www.openspaceauthority.org/events/santana-row-earth-day-celebration
San Francisco
56th annual San Francisco Earth Day Festival
Live music, speakers, booths, electric vehicles, food demonstration
Noon – 6 p.m.
The New Farm
10 Cargo Way, San Francisco
Saturday April 25
East Bay Regional Park District
9 am – noon
Volunteer beach and shoreline cleanups at numerous shoreline parks in Alameda, Oakland, Livermore and Fremont
https://www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/earth-day
Vallejo
Vallejo Earth Daze 2026
Live music, food trucks, crafts, community booths, and speakers.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Virginia and Main streets, downtown Vallejo
https://www.theeverwonder.org/earthdaze1
Sunday April 26
Mill Valley
Earth Day Marin
Live music, entertainment, electric vehicle show, food vendors.
Noon – 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26.
Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 3:33 PM.